Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - HSCI 827 G100

Analysis of Health Care Systems (3)

Class Number: 4449

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Analyze factors that determine the organization and performance of health services for individuals and populations.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an analysis of the structure and organization of the Canadian health care financing and delivery system in comparison with global health care systems. It includes history, organizational principles, health care resources, costs, access to care, quality, and equity. It also explores contemporary problems in Canadian and global health care systems and a comparison of health system performance. Throughout the course, we will explore current policy debates, including coverage for pharmaceuticals, primary care reform, privatization, and management of wait lists.

The first half of the course includes substantial overlap with HSCI 305. 827 is not recommended for students who have completed this course.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Analyze contemporary problems in Canadian and global health care systems and policy.
  • Explain the role of the health care system in contributing to population and public health.
  • Explain how the history and development of health systems shape their organization and performance.
  • Analyze how methods of financing and delivery affect the organization and performance of health services for individuals and populations.
  • Analyze the roles played by political and economic factors in health systems.

Grading

  • Assignment 1 - Background and analysis (group) 25%
  • Assignment 2 - Comparative health systems (individual) 15%
  • Assignment 3 - Policy options (group) 25%
  • Assignment 4 - Briefing note/OpEd 10%
  • Online test 20%
  • Discussion contributions 5%

NOTES:

Instructor may make changes to the syllabus within Faculty/University regulations.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Deber, R. Treating Health Care: How the Canadian System Works and How It Could Work Better. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017.

https://utorontopress.com/ca/treating-health-care-2
ISBN: 1487521499

Other readings will be available online.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html